ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers  – February, 2023
The Labour Bureau, an attached office of the M/o Labour & Employment, has been compiling Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers every month on the basis of retail prices collected from 317 markets spread over 88 industrially important centres in the country. The index is compiled for 88 centres and All-India and is released on the last working day of succeeding month. The index for the month of February, 2023 is being released in this press release.
The All-India CPI-IW for February, 2023 decreased by 0.1 point and stood at 132.7  points. On 1-month percentage change, it decreased by 0.08 per cent with respect to previous month. A decrease of 0.08 per cent was recorded between corresponding months a year ago too.
The maximum downward pressure in current index came from Food & Beverages group contributing 0.1 percentage point to the total change. At item level, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brinjal, Carrot, Onion, Potato, Peas, French-bean, Drum Stick, Kundru, Grapes, Sunflower Oil, Soyabean Oil, Mustard Oil, Poultry/Chicken, Eggs-hen and Fish Fresh etc. are responsible for the fall in index. However, this decrease was checked by Rice, Wheat, Wheat Atta, Buffalo Milk, Cow Milk, Pure Ghee, Garlic, Gourd, Lady’s finger, Parwal, Cumin Seed/Jira, Apple, Banana, Mango, Country liquor, Foreign liquor and Medicine Allopathic, etc. putting upward pressure on the index.
At centre level, Raniganj, Jalpaiguri and Puduchery recorded a maximum decrease of 1.8 points each. Among others, 5 centres recorded decrease between 1 to 1.4 points and 32 centres between 0.1 to 0.9 points. On the contrary, Amritsar recorded a maximum increase of 3.1 points. Among others, 7 centres recorded increase between 1 to 1.9 points and 37 centres between 0.1 to 0.9 points. Rest of 3 centres’ indices remained stationary.
Year-on-year inflation for the month stood at 6.16 per cent compared to 6.16 per cent for the previous month also and 5.04 per cent during the corresponding month a year before. Similarly, Food inflation stood at 6.13 per cent against 5.69 per cent of the previous month and 5.09 per cent during the corresponding month a year ago.
Y-o-Y Inflation based on CPI-IW 
All-India Group-wise CPI-IW for January, 2023 and February, 2023
|
|
Sr. No.
|
|
Groups
|
|
January, 2023
|
|
February, 2023
|
|
I
|
|
Food & Beverages
|
|
131.8
|
|
131.5
|
|
II
|
|
Pan, Supari, Tobacco & Intoxicants
|
|
151.4
|
|
152.2
|
|
III
|
|
Clothing & Footwear
|
|
132.8
|
|
133.0
|
|
IV
|
|
Housing
|
|
123.4
|
|
123.4
|
|
V
|
|
Fuel & Light
|
|
177.9
|
|
177.8
|
|
VI
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
130.2
|
|
130.4
|
|
|
|
General Index
|
|
132.8
|
|
132.7
CPI-IW: Groups Indices
The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of March, 2023 will be released on Friday, 28th April, 2023. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureau.gov.in.
MJPS
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Finance Commission
Finance Commission constitutes High Level Expert Group on Agriculture Exports
The Fifteenth Finance Commission has decided to constitute a High Level Expert Group on Agriculture Exports in pursuance of its ToR i.e, to recommend measurable performance incentives for States to encourage ari exports as well as to promote crops to enable high import substitution. The composition of the group is as below:
 Shri Sanjiv Puri, Chairman and Managing Director, ITC - Chairman
 Ms. Radha Singh, Former Agriculture Secretary – Member.
 Representative of Ministry of Food Processing Industries – Member.
 Chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority , Ministry of Commerce and Industry – Member.
 Shri Suresh Narayanan, CMD, NESTLE India – Member.
 Mr. Jay Shroff, CEO-UPL Limited – Member.
 Shri Sanjay Sacheti, Country Head India-Olam Agro India Ltd. – Member.
 Dr. Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, RIS – Member.
The Terms of Reference of the Committee are :
· To assess export & import substitution opportunities for Indian agricultural products  in the changing international trade scenario and suggest ways to step up exports sustainably and reduce import dependence.
· To recommend strategies and measures to increase farm productivity, enable higher value addition, ensure waste reduction, strengthen logistics infrastructure etc. related to Indian agriculture, to improve the sector’s global competitiveness.
· To identify the impediments for private sector investments along the agricultural value chain and suggest policy measures and reforms that would help attract the required investments.
· To suggest appropriate performance-based incentives to the state governments for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26, to accelerate reforms in the agriculture sector as well as implement other policy measures in this regard.
The Committee can seek assistance of any other institution or entity as considered appropriate for completion of the work. The Committee will submit its recommendations within three months for further consideration of the Commission.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Cochin Port Trust and Paradip Port Trust contribute to Kerala Chief Minister's Relief Fund
Cochin Port Trust handed over a cheque for an amount of Rs. 62,69,326/- to the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan yesterday, as contribution towards re-building the lives of the flood affected people of the state . This includes contribution of one day salary from employees of Cochin Port Trust amounting to Rs.31,05,938/-, an equal amount from the Port Trust funds  and Rs. 57,450/-collected by employees for Onam, which they contributed for relief by calling off the celebrations.
The officials from CPT also handed over a cheque for an amount of Rs.27,63,624/- on behalf of Paradip Port Trust as contribution to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund.
Shri A.V.Ramana, Deputy Chairman, Cochin Port Trust handing over the cheques to Kerala Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan as contribution to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Khelo India pledge crosses one million mark
The Khelo India pledge, launched by the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sport, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has now crossed the million mark. This follows the hugely successful launch of the Khelo India Anthem, which reached more than 200 million fans within two days of its launch.
The Khelo India pledge, now taken by more than 1.1 million people, is among the initiatives to popularise the Games, which seeks to identify sportspersons at a very young age and develop them into future champions for India on international platforms.
The Khelo India pledge aims to invoke the nation's sporting spirit by urging fans and followers to support and encourage sports in every way possible. It is India's pledge to become part of a revolution that will find nation's budding sport talent from the grassroots and offer them a platform to rise and shine at the global level.
The flagship Khelo India School Games will be held from January 31 to February 8 and it will be held in 16 disciplines at five venues with more than 3,200 competing for 199 sets of medals.
Don't miss on taking the pledge. A #NewIndia can't be built without nurturing the sport stars of India. Every fan can be a part of this movement by taking the pledge at www.kheloindia.gov.in or by giving missed call to 902-900-1431
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Annual Capacity of Cargo Transport of Export-Import in Ports
There were 12 Major Ports and 200 Non-Major Ports in the Country till the FY 2013-14. The annual cargo handling capacity of Major Ports was 800.52 MTPA and Non-Major Ports was 599.47 Million Tonnes Per Annum . The total capacity of all the Indian Ports during 2013-14 was 1399.99 MTPA.
As far as Major Ports are concerned, no new Major Port was constructed post the year 2014. Capacity augmentation / upgradation at Major Ports is a continuous process. The Non-Major ports are under the jurisdiction of respective State Maritime Boards / State Governments.
The cargo handling capacity during 2020-21 at Major Ports was 1560.61 MTPA and for Non-Major Ports, it was 1002.24 MTPA. The total Capacity of all the Indian Ports as on 31-3-2021 was 2562.85 MTPA. The total Operating Income earned by Major Ports, which are under Central Government during the year 2020-21 was Rs. 14688.80 crore, which was Rs. 9162.80 crore during 2013-14. The total Income of Major Ports was Rs. 16419.27 crore during 2020-21, which was Rs. 11171.97 crore during 2013-14.
This information was given by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
Union Minister Dr L Murugan reviews activities of various Media Units under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in Kochi
Kochi: February 16, 2023
Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Dr L Murugan today exhorted the Officers of various Media Units under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to work in an integrated fashion to promote the reach of Central Government schemes.
He was addressing the Officers during a review meeting held at All India Radio , Kochi Office today .
The Minister said that for the Media Organisations to move forward, it was imperative for each individual to think how much he or she could contribute. He also suggested that the Media Units work in a coordinated manner to achieve better integration and for more efficient dissemination of Central Government Schemes in various sectors.
Deputy Director General , AIR Kochi, Shri P. P. Baby; Director, Press Information Bureau , Kochi, Smt Rashmi Roja Thushara Nair; Deputy Director, Central Bureau of Communication , Kochi, Smt Beena A.; Deputy Director , AIR Kochi, Shri Rajmohan R., Head of Programme, AIR Kochi, Shri Balan P. and other Senior Officials of AIR attended the Meeting. Presentations on AIR, PIB and CBC were also made in the Meeting.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Justice Department releases 2nd edition of Voice of Beneficiaries on Tele-Law
Heralds beginning of "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” in Department of Justice
Tele- Law benefits over 6.7 lakh people so far; Exhibits YoY growth of 331% especially during Covid times
Heralding the beginning of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”, the Department of Justice issued the 2nd Edition of Voice of the Beneficiaries on Tele-Law: Reaching the Unreached on 12th March, 2021.
In his foreword to “Voices of the Beneficiaries” 2nd Edition, the Minister of Law and Justice Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad underlined that the concern of Mahatma Gandhi “To wipe every tear from every eye” fully resonates under Tele-Law programme of Department of Justice. Tele-Law is a robust platform for mainstreaming legal aid to the marginalized especially at the pre litigation stage.
Tele-Law programme is presently operational in 285 districts  across 27 States and 2 UTs of J& K and Ladakh through a network of 29,860 CSCs. The programmes connects the disadvantaged and needy seeking legal advice from Panel Lawyers through e-interface platform available in Common Service Centres. Tele- Law has touched 6.70+ Lakh beneficiaries so far and exhibited YoY growth of 331% especially during Covid times.
Through articulating “Voices of the Beneficiaries” in e-book, Department of Justice endeavours to unfold a deeper understanding on real time expectations and experiences in availing benefits under the Programme. These insights also reflect the robust and humane feedback mechanism, being ingrained in the Tele-Law programme to facilitate justice delivery at the door step. This compilation captures 6 areas namely fighting injustice, resolution of property disputes, relief to COVID distressed, empowering with information, overcoming procedural hurdles and family matters. From assisting beneficiaries in amicably resolving strained marital relations; to facilitate in their fight against child marriage, claiming compensation in rape case; in availing entitlements under government schemes, provident fund; in resolving property disputes of illegal encroachment, mutation and in gaining knowledge on filing of FIR or tracking case under e -Courts App etc. Tele-Law through its outreach support of Para Legal Volunteers, Village Level Entrepreneurs and Panel Lawyers is assuring citizen centric justice unto the last.
Tele-Law is significant pillar that has provided a paradigm shift in the chain of legal aid. It is now proposed to extend in 2.5 Lakh Gram Panchayats, across all States and UTs in the country over a period of five years. Every year, 50,000 Gram Panchayats would be added in the programme. It is expected that in next five years, Tele-Law programme would touch 90 Lakh+ beneficiaries seeking pre-litigation advice.
RKJ/M
(Visitor Counter : 309
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President inaugurates Nellore FM Station
It will showcase local talent in local flavor: Vice President
State governments must make mother tongue mandatory upto primary school level;
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today inaugurated Nellore All India Radio FM Station in Andhra Pradesh and asserted that radio broadcasting has made a comeback in the era of continuous bombardment of visual content by myriad channels.
Addressing the people of Nellore in Telugu and in English after the launch, Shri Naidu said that apart from broadcasting entertainment programmes in Telugu, the FM station would provide important information to farmers and other sections.
Shri Naidu also said that the FM station would provide a platform to locals by broadcasting voice casts in local flavor. This will encourage the locals to showcase their talent in music and other areas, apart from enabling them to keep abreast of current affairs, he added.
The Vice President said that radio has increasingly proved itself to be a favored companion. Radio gives clean, soft and assuring entertainment along with hard news and honest analysis of events, he said.
Observing that the proposal to setup an FM station was conceptualized when he was Information & Broadcasting Minister, the Vice President lauded Prasar Bharti, All India Radio and the Government of India for their collective efforts in realizing the dream of Nellore people.
Stating that Community Radio has been playing a crucial role in taking development to every corner of the country, Shri Naidu said that in times of natural disasters, radio often becomes the savior-- communicating critical information about relief and rescue when other mediums become ineffective.
Calling Radio an important medium to communicate with crores of people, Shri Naidu said that it has gained new identity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly address of 'Man Ki Baat.
The Minister for Municipal Administration, Andhra Pradesh, Shri Ponguru Narayana, the CEO of Prasar Bharti, Shri Shashi Shekhar Vempati, the Director General, AIR Shri F. Sheheryar and senior officials of I & B ministry were present during the launch.
Earlier, the Vice President inaugurated a Medical Camp organised by Basavatarakam Cancer Institute at Muppavarapu Foundation Knowledge Centre, Sardar Patel Nagar in Nellore.
Addressing the gathering he stressed the importance of regular medical check-ups to enable early detection of cancer.
Referring to International Mother Language Day today, the Vice President asked people to take a pledge to preserve and promote their mother tongue. He said there was a need to strengthen the campaign for preserving mother tongue and wanted the mass media and cinema to play a leading role in promoting mother tongue.
Shri Naidu appealed to all state governments to make respective mother tongue a compulsory subject upto primary school.
Ministry of Finance
NABARD, WB Promotes 300 FPOs in WB, Sanctions Rs 276 crore to Govt. of WB under Micro-irrigation Fund
NABARD, WBRO Considers WB Government’s Proposal for Reconstruction of Rural Infrastructure Damaged by Amphan
Kolkata, 14 July, 2020
In the last three years, the size of business of West Bengal regional Office  has grown from Rs 3,383 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 12,094 crore in 2019-20, registering a whopping four-fold growth. NABARD, each year sanctions more than Rs 1,200 crore to the West Bengal Government for development of rural infrastructure under its Rural Infrastructure Development Fund . During this fiscal, NABARD has disbursed Rs 143 crore under RIDF. This was stated by Chief General Manager of NABARD Shri Subrata Mandal today, while delivering on the occasion of the 39th Foundation Day of the Bank.
Shri Mandal further stated that NABARD is considering the proposal of Rs 1028 crore package received from the Government of West Bengal towards reconstruction of rural infrastructure damaged by super Cyclone Amphan.
According to Shri Mandal, in order to overcome the liquidity problem faced by the rural financial institutions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NABARD WBRO has extended special liquidity support of Rs 1,070 crore to the financial institutions for providing credit to the farmers and self-help groups ahead of the Kharif showing, besides extending special such support of Rs 30 thousand crore to enhance the liquidity of cooperative banks, RRBs and other micro-finance institutions. Such an effort is going to benefit 3 crore farmers. Besides, the Bank in association with other banks and the State Government has initiated a drive to bring in 20 lakh non-loanee farmers under the fold of Kissan Credit Card  while implementing the programme of providing concessional credit of Rs 2 lakh crore to 25 million farmers under KCC, added.
Shri Mandal also spoke about the NABARD’s attempt to promote Farmers Producers Organisation  for collectivisation of agri-inputs and aggregation of outputs and linking with the market, to help the farmers realise better prices and make farming profitable. Out of 7000 FPOs of the country, 300 have been promoted by NABARD in West Bengal. Shri Mandal opined that the reversed migrant workers can be engaged in FPOs for marketing farmers’ produce by giving proper training to them. At the end, he dealt with the NABARD’s initiative in helping in irrigation of the State and mentioned that the West Bengal Regional Office has sanctioned Rs 276 crore to WB under the micro irrigation fund for installation of drip and sprinkler in drought prone rain-fed areas of the State.
SSS
(Visitor Counter : 14
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Venture capitalists play a pivotal role in the Startup ecosystem and in economic growth of the country, says Shri Piyush Goyal
IVCA can act as a Golden bridge between the Government, Startups, market and consumers – Shri Piyush Goyal
“Venture capitalists can play a role in fast tracking self-reliance, creating an AatmaNirbhar Bharat”: Shri Goyal
Shri Goyal urges venture capitalists to focus on Tier 2, Tier 3 & Tier 4 cities and towns
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal today said the Venture capitalists have played a pivotal role in India’s Startup story and in economic growth of the country. Addressing the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association’s  Conclave, he said they have been driving innovation and bringing new ideas to the fore that is legendary.
“Venture capitalists and Angel investors have a very important role to play in the Startup ecosystem. I remember the Prime Minister had once said that the current decade is going to be the ‘Tech-ade’ of India. And this will be a decade where technology & innovation will drive the future of Indian economy, whether it is UPI or Covin. Today we are showing to the whole world what Indian capabilities are and how we can leverage digital platforms from mass transformation of the lives of a billion plus people,” said Shri Goyal, in his Keynote Address delivered through video conference.
Shri Goyal said the IVCA can act as a Golden bridge between the Government, Startups, market and consumers and promote innovation.
“India has carved a distinct niche for itself in the Startup map of the world. We have over 60,000 Startups and I see it as the DNA of the future of India,” he said.
Urging venture capital funds to reach out to the Tier 3&4 towns, Shri Goyal said the Startup Advisory Council recognises there is a large pool of talent in the interiors of India. Domestic capital can play a huge role in the next wave of innovation, he said.
“Atal Tinkering Labs are a good example. The whole ecosystem is going to grow by leaps and bounds. Soon ideas will choose what funds to take. Many good ideas have been taken over by small ticket cheques for lack of alternatives. We must seriously look at some kind of instruments and a little more compassion towards these ideas,” he said.
Shri Goyal urged the investors & capital providers to focus on 4Fs:
- Fostering Innovation & Future Technologies
- Facilitate mobilisation of domestic capital
- Fast tracking self-reliance: An AatmaNirbhar Bharat
- Focus on Tier 2, Tier 3 & Tier 4 cities and towns
Shri Goyal said we are on the cusp of reaching the $400 bn merchandise exports mark.
“I wish our Startups contribute significantly as we move towards a trillion dollars of Goods and Services exports each,” he said.
Shri Goyal said the Startups will play a defining role in the Amritkaal i.e next 25 years, when India completes 100 years of its Independence.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets on Maharashtra Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has conveyed his greetings on the occasion of Maharashtra Day.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"Best wishes on Maharashtra Day. The state is blessed with a great culture and hardworking people who have enriched national progress across different sectors. I pray for the continued progress of Maharashtra in the years to come."
"महाराष्ट्र दिनाच्या शुभेच्छा.राज्याला महान संस्कृती आणि विविध क्षेत्रात राष्ट्राची प्रगती समृद्ध करणारे मेहनती लोक लाभले आहेत.भविष्यातही महाराष्ट्राची अशीच प्रगती होत राहील अशी मी कामना करतो."
Ministry of Steel
Production of Steel
Steel is a deregulated sector. Government has no role in commercial decisions such as import of steel or a particular type of steel by individual companies. The production and consumption of long steel products mainly used in real estate sector, i.e., Bars and Rods and Structurals are as given below: -

|
|
Year
|
|
|
|
Bars & Rods
|
|
Structurals
|
|
2019-20
|
|
Production
|
|
40.33
|
|
7.49
|
|
Consumption
|
|
39.33
|
|
7.17
|
|
Import
|
|
0.27
|
|
0.04
|
|
2020-21
|
|
Production
|
|
37.17
|
|
6.49
|
|
Consumption
|
|
39.68
|
|
6.56
|
|
Import
|
|
0.14
|
|
0.03
|
|
2021-22
|
|
Production
|
|
47.20
|
|
7.48
|
|
Consumption
|
|
46.00
|
|
7.24
|
|
Import
|
|
0.06
|
|
0.01
|
|
2022-23|
|
Production
|
|
45.97
|
|
7.63
|
|
Consumption
|
|
45.17
|
|
7.32
|
|
Import
|
|
0.11
|
|
0.01
|
|
Source: Joint Plant Committee ;Provisional
The Production and Consumption of finished steel have increased in FY 2021-22 and 2022-23 as compared to pandemic periods during FY 2019-20 and 2020-21 as per the data given below: -

|
|
Total Finished Steel
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
2021-22
|
|
2022-23|
|
Prod.
|
|
Cons.
|
|
Prod.
|
|
Cons.
|
|
Prod.
|
|
Cons.
|
|
Prod.
|
|
Cons.
|
|
102.6
|
|
100.1
|
|
96.2
|
|
94.9
|
|
113.6
|
|
105.8
|
|
110.4
|
|
108.1
|
|
Source: Joint Plant Committee ;Provisional; Prod-Production; Cons-Consumption
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Steel and Rural Development, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.